Notable notes

Mesmerisingwould be an understatement if one has to describe the concert,which began with a spell binding performance by Birju Maharaj,where he unleashed the magic of his ghunghroos and created a conversation with the beats of tabla weaving a story with sounds. From conversation between two friends to naughty sweet talks of a couple – Birju Maharaj said it all gracefully sans speech. Apart from presenting a few Bandishes and Jugalbandis,his disciple,Shashwati Sen,also re-narrated the story of Ahilya and Gautam Rishi from Ramayana though her graceful movements and expressions,though Abhinaya.

“It is an honour to perform with Maharaj ji,however,till date I feel the nervousness in me,” says Sen,who has been with the Kathak maestro from the past 40 years. “Like we understand our parents and their likes and dislike,I am able to understand his comfort and discomfort. Though he never scolds,but I know that one wrong movement will hurt him and that makes me feel nervous,while performing with him,” she adds.

Dhrupad vocalist Uday Bhawalkar,who unlike the classical musicians of new generation,chose Dhrupad enthralled the audience and brought out the nuances of Dhrupad with ease.

Nayan Ghosh,a versatile artiste has mastered two instrument,tabla and sitar and so far has not been able to make a choice. However,he had audience crave for more after his sitar-rendition.

The evening proceeded to witness some of finest performances by Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande,who presented Raag Hindola,an early morning raga. “Raag Hindole is not very common in concerts these days because seldom do we have overnight or early morning concerts,” says Bhide.

Sixth-generation sarangi player from the family of sarangi-maestro Ustad Abdul Latif Khan,Sarwar Hussain,re-created the magic of sainthood that was practiced by Mahatma Gandhi,when he rendered Vaishnavjan to tene khaiye je on sarangi. The event culminated and the day began with a performance by 102-year-old Hindustani classical vocal maestro Ustad Abdul Rashid Khan at 5 am,who left the audience in a state of trance with on-the-spot improvisations. As day broke,he presented a bhajan,that left everybody misty eyed.